Unidirectional lighting device for illuminating objects and/or for marking lanes, preferably in the airport area

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a unidirectional lighting device for illuminating objects and/or for marking lanes, preferably in the airport area. Said device comprises a base having an external housing for placing and fastening the lighting device and optical components which comprise at least one light source, one reflector and one front glass and which produce a light beam along an optical axis. The external housing does not consist of metal and the optical components are disposed in an optical module to be added on to the base, thereby providing a lighting device which is easy to maintain.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Stage of International ApplicationNo. PCT/EP2004/006623, filed Jun. 18, 2004 and claims the benefitthereof. The International Application claims the benefits of Germanapplication No. 10329496.1, filed Jun. 30, 2003, both applications areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a unidirectional lighting device forilluminating objects and/or for marking lanes, preferably in the airportarea.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The publication entitled “Approach, Threshold Runway End High IntensityElevated Light” published by ADB, a Siemens company, Apr. 11, 1997,order number E10001-T95-A61-V1-7600 discloses a unidirectional lightingdevice for marking the approach and threshold area as well as thetakeoff and landing path limits of airports. The lighting devicecomprises a main body having an external housing which can be erectedand fastened on the ground, a post or a mast. The lighting device alsocomprises optical components, specifically a light source, a reflectorand a front glass for producing a parallel light beam.

A change of the light source in this known lighting device is possiblewithout tools, but can only be carried out at the erection location inthe field via a door which is arranged on the rear panel of the externalhousing. In order to perform workshop maintenance of the opticalcomponents, the complete lighting device must be taken down, transportedto the workshop and then aligned again after re-erection. The main bodyof the lighting device consists of a cast aluminum external housing andnoble metal parts, and corrosion resistance is therefore difficult toachieve and only partly possible.

The invention therefore addresses the problem of overcoming theaforementioned disadvantages of the prior art in the case of a lightingdevice of the type cited at the beginning, in particular of providing alighting device whose maintenance is simplified.

According to the invention, the problem is solved by a lighting deviceof the type in question, said lighting device having the featuresdescribed herein. As a result of the combination of the partly metallicoptical components in a separate optics module which can be installed inthe main body of the lighting device, and as a result of theconstruction of large parts of the external housing of the main bodyfrom non-metallic materials, a lower overall weight of the claimedlighting device is achieved, thereby making it easier to replace in thefield. As a result of using non-metallic materials for the externalhousing, in particular a higher corrosion-resistance is achieved for alighting device in accordance with the invention. Furthermore, theembodiment of the overall lighting device can be smaller, therebyreducing the wind sensitivity and therefore the danger of breakage.Consequently, it is possible to fasten a lighting device according tothe invention onto higher masts than in the prior art. The non-metallicand therefore non-conducting construction of the external housing allowsthe insulated fastening of a drive amplifier of the lighting device,thereby allowing the reliable transmission of triggering signals evenover cable lengths up to 250 m. The plastic construction of the externalhousing provides for greater flexibility in layout and production andfor better frictional behavior. Due to the limited heat conductivity andelectrical conductivity of non-metallic materials, there are fewerproblems taking hold of and handling an external housing ofcorresponding construction.

In an advantageous embodiment of the claimed lighting device, the opticsmodule is rotatably linked to the main body via pivoting means. As aresult of this, the lighting device can be opened on site, i.e. at theerection location in the field, e.g. by swinging it open, therebyallowing unimpeded access to the built-in parts and in particular theoptical components. It is therefore easy to undertake a replacement ofthe light source in situ, for example.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the optics module isdesigned to be removable from the main body of the lighting device. Theseparability of the optics module means that it can be maintained in theworkshop without the need to take down the complete lighting device. Forexample, the pivoting means can be designed in such a way that theoptics module can be detached from the main body without using tools.

In a preferred embodiment of the claimed lighting device, an upper partof the main body, which upper part accommodates the optics module, isdesigned relative to a lower part of the main body, which lower partcarries the upper part, such that it can be tilted about a horizontalaxis and rotated about a vertical axis. With the aid of this design, itis possible to perform an orientation of the optical axis of theparallel light beam which is emitted by the optics module. It isparticularly advantageous that, when a tilt and rotate position has beenset, the upper part does not change in relation to the lower part if theoptics module is swung open or removed. Consequently, a time-consumingreadjustment of the lighting device is no longer required if a lamp ischanged or in the case of maintenance tasks.

In a preferred configuration of the claimed lighting device, adjustingmeans are provided for setting and fixing the tilt position of the upperpart relative to the lower part of the main body. For this purpose,provision is made for a mechanism having two adjustment screws whichengage in a diametrically opposed manner and fix the upper part in a settilt position. In order to change the tilt position, one of the twoadjustment screws is unscrewed by the same amount as the otheradjustment screw is tightened, wherein the upper part is tilted aboutthe horizontal axis of rotation. As a result of this adjustmentmechanism, it is possible to achieve a very accurate orientation of theangle of the optical axis relative to the vertical. The axial positionof an adjustment screw is preferably fixed by a lock nut which engagesin the housing. This ensures a locking of the tilt position of the upperpart relative to the lower part of the main body of the lighting deviceaccording to the invention.

In a further preferred configuration of the invention, locking means areprovided for fixing the rotational position of the upper part relativeto the lower part of the main body. As a result, it is likewise possibleto fix a set orientation of the optical axis of the light beam in theform of an azimuthal angle relative to a base position.

The non-metallic external housing of the main body is preferablydesigned as a plastic part, in particular an injection molded part. Inthis way, stable non-metallic external housings can be provided at lowmanufacturing cost for lighting devices in accordance with theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further properties and advantages of the claimed lighting device arederived from the following description of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a partly cutaway side view of alighting device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a lighting device according to theinvention, including an optics module in a closed state;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a lighting device according to theinvention, including an optics module in a swung open state;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a lighting device according to theinvention, including an optics module in a separated state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a lighting device 10 according to the invention hasa main body 20 for erecting and fastening the lighting device 10 and anoptics module 30 for generating a light beam along an optical axis O.The main body 20 is enveloped by a non-metallic external housing 22 andessentially comprises an upper part 24, an intermediate part 25 and alower part 26. The optics module 30 is laterally attached to the upperpart 24 of the main body 20, which upper part also contains electricalcomponents for controlling and operating the optics module 30. The upperpart 24 is supported on the intermediate part 25 by means of a hingebolt which is aligned longitudinally along a horizontal axis of rotationH, and is therefore tiltably positioned about the axis of rotation Hwhich extends perpendicularly to the page plane. The intermediate part25 of the main body 20 is rotatably positioned on the lower part 26about a vertical axis V. For this purpose, the intermediate part 25 iscentered over a bearing journal 27 in the supporting pillar 28 of thelower part 26. The assembly comprising intermediate part 25, upper part24 and optics module 30 is therefore rotatably configured about thevertical axis of rotation V relative to the non-rotatable lower part 26.A radial necking 29 is formed in the supporting pillar 28 of the lowerpart 26, providing a predetermined breaking point if the claimedlighting device 10 is positioned on the ground.

The optics module 30 has a housing 37 which is adapted to the lateralcross-section of the external housing 22 and in which are arranged aparabolic reflector 34 and a light source 32 in the form of a halogenlamp, said light source being approximately central. The housing 37 iscovered on a front side, which is provided for the issue of light, by afront glass 36 that is fastened to the housing 37 by means of a frontring 39 which runs around the circumference of the front glass 36.Depending on the desired color of the issuing light beam, the frontglass 36 is clear or colored red or green.

The optics module 30 is rotatably linked to the upper part 24 of themain body 20 via pivoting means 40 having the form of a hinge. In thisway, the optics module 30 can be swung downwards for changing the lightsource 32 or for other maintenance tasks, in order to gain access to therear panel of the housing 37 or to the interior of the housing 22. Uponcompletion of the tasks, the optics module 30 is swung upwards againuntil a seal 38 which surrounds the housing 37 is flush with theexternal housing 22 of the upper part 24 and the spring keeper 23 in anengaged locking position in the rear panel of the housing 37 secures theoptics module 30. In order to swing open again, the spring force of thekeeper 23 must be overcome.

At the erection location, whether embedded in the ground via thesupporting pillar 28 or supported on a post or mast above the ground,the alignment of the optical axis O must be adjusted. The polar andazimuthal angles can be set via the horizontal or vertical axes ofrotation H or V. In order to set the polar angle, i.e. the inclinationof the optical axis O relative to the vertical, adjusting means 50 areprovided in the form of a pair of adjusting screws which are screwedinto the intermediate part 25 diagonally from below. The ends of theadjusting screws touch surfaces of the upper part 24 which is arrangedrotatably about the horizontal axis of rotation H, wherein only theright-hand adjusting screw of the two adjusting screws is illustrated inFIG. 1. In this case, it is only possible to screw in one of theadjustment screws if the other adjustment screw is unscrewed. Theadjusting means 50 which are designed in this way allow a very preciseadjustment of the tilt position of the upper part 24 relative to thelower part 26 of the main body 20. Once it has been set, a tilt positioncan be locked by lock nuts. The setting of the azimuthal angle, i.e. theorientation relative to a celestial direction, is achieved by rotatingthe assembly which is supported by the lower part 26 about the verticalaxis of rotation V. In order to fix a set rotation position, provisionis made for locking means 60 in the form of a clamping ring, whereinsaid locking means grip the external housing of the intermediate part 25and squeeze it against the supporting pillar 28 when tightened.

The claimed lighting device 10 device is used e.g. as a signaling entityfor air navigation or for other traffic areas, in particular for theapproach area, the threshold markings and end markings of landing pathsat airports. The non-metallic plastic construction of the externalhousing 22 of the main body 20 results in a lower weight, therebyfacilitating the replacement in the field of a lighting device 10according to the invention, and greater corrosion resistance, therebyextending the service life of the lighting device 10. This design alsoallows smaller dimensions, resulting in reduced wind sensitivity,thereby improving the fragility of a lighting device 10 according to theinvention. Furthermore, it is possible to attach the lighting device 10having smaller overall dimensions to higher fastening masts. The tiltmechanism is situated in the interior of the main body 20 in the case ofa lighting device 10 according to the invention, and is thereforeattached in a protected manner. The same main body 20 is suitable foroptics modules operating as both continuous and flashing lights. Thelighting device 10 is protected by seals against ingress of water ordust. Power cables are entirely encased within the main body 20 and aretherefore likewise protected.

An essential advantage of the lighting device 10 according to theinvention relates to the increased ease of maintenance and isillustrated subsequently in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4. FIG. 2 shows a lightingdevice 10 having a main body 20 to which the optics module 30 is linkedvia pivoting means 40, wherein the optics module 30 is swung upwards andfixed to the main body 20 and is therefore in an operating position. Inorder to change the light source 32, for example, the optics module 30is pivoted downwards as per the direction arrow D such that free accessexists to the rear panel of the optics module 30. Following replacementof the light source or following other maintenance tasks which can beperformed on site, the optics module 30 is swung upwards via thepivoting means 40 which are designed as a hinge, until the keeper 23 issnapped into its locking position. If a complete replacement of theoptics module 30 is required or if more extensive maintenance of theoptics module is required in the workshop, the optics module 30 can beentirely detached from the main body 20 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Thiscan be achieved by removing the pins which are arranged at retainingplates of the optics module 30 from a voluted supporting plate of themain body 20, without the need for a disassembly tool.

1. A unidirectional lighting device for illuminating objects and/or formarking lanes, preferably in the airport area, having: a main body forerecting and fastening the lighting device, said main body including anexternal housing, and having optical components for generating a lightbeam along an optical axis, the optical components including at least alight source, a reflector and a front glass, wherein the opticalcomponents are arranged in an optics module which can be attached to themain body, the external housing is non-metallic and that the opticsmodule is rotatably linked to the main body via a pivoting means,wherein the optics module can be swung between an operating position inwhich it is fixed to the main body, and an opened maintenance positiongiving unimpeded access to the optical components, wherein the main bodyhas an upper part that includes the optics module, with the upper partbeing fixed to a lower part in tiltable relation about a horizontal axisand rotatable about a vertical axis in relation to the lower part of themain body, wherein the lower part supports the upper part.
 2. Thelighting device as claimed in claim 1, further having an adjustingdevice for adjusting and fixing the tilt position of the upper partrelative to the lower part of the main body.
 3. The adjusting means asclaimed in claim 1, further having a locking device for fixing therotational position of the upper part relative to the lower part of themain body.
 4. A unidirectional lighting device for illuminating objectsand/or for marking lanes, preferably in the airport area, having; a mainbody for erecting and fastening the lighting device, said main bodyincluding an external housing, and having optical components forgenerating a light beam along an optical axis, the optical componentsincluding at least a light source, a reflector and a front glass,wherein the optical components are arranged in an optics module whichcan be attached to the main body, the external housing is non-metallicand that the optics module is rotatably linked to the main body via apivoting means, wherein the optics module can be swung between anoperating position in which it is fixed to the main body, and an openedmaintenance position giving unimpeded access to the optical components;and wherein the main body has an upper part that includes the opticsmodule, with the upper part being fixed to a lower part in tiltablerelation about a horizontal axis for adjusting the optical axis, thehorizontal axis being an axis independent from the pivoting means. 5.The lighting device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the optics module isseparable from the main body.
 6. The lighting device as claimed in claim4, wherein the non-metallic external housing of the main body isconsisting of suitable form of plastic.
 7. The lighting device asclaimed in claim 6 wherein the main body is formed using the process ofinjection molding.
 8. The lighting device as claimed in claim 4 furthercomprising the upper part being fixed to the lower part about a verticalaxis for rotating the upper part in relation to the lower part, thevertical axis being en axis independent from the pivoting means.
 9. Alighting device for illuminating objects, the lighting devicecomprising: a main body including an upper part supported by a lowerpart so that the upper part is movable about at least one axis inrelation to the lower part for adjusting an optical axis; means forlocking the upper part in fixed relation to the lower part; an opticsmodule having optical components for generating a light beam along theoptical axis; and pivoting means for releasably attaching the opticsmodule with the upper part so that the optics module may be removed fromthe main body without varying the optical axis.
 10. The lighting deviceof claim 9 wherein the upper part is fixed to the lower part in tiltablerelation about a horizontal axis and rotatable about a vertical axis inrelation to the lower part.
 11. The lighting device of claim 10, themeans for locking the upper part in fixed relation to the lower partcomprising lock nuts for locking the upper part in fixed relation to thelower part about the horizontal axis and a clamping ring for locking theupper part in fixed relation to the lower part about the vertical axis.12. The lighting device of claim 9, the pivoting means for releasablyattaching the optics module with the upper body without varying theoptical axis comprising a voluted hinge having an upwardly extendingopen end for receiving corresponding pins of the optics module.